Yang Wanhu, Hu Zhong, Gao Yanshi, and Fu Youde crossed the river, and after a short rest, they continued to go to Xuzhou without stopping. As soon as the Yellow River is crossed, it can be regarded as entering the sphere of influence of the heroes in the south of the Yangtze River, which is of extraordinary significance. Even if the thick lines are like Yang and seniors, they can't help but have a different kind of emotion.

Not only did the mood change, but everyone marched more cautiously, including the order of the march.

Yang, Hu, Gao, and Fu Zhuren, Yang Wanhu is from Dongping, Shandong, Gao Yanshi is from Hebei, and Hu Zhong is from Shanxi. Only Fu Youde, whose ancestral home is Suzhou, later migrated to Dangshan, is very familiar with the situation in Xuzhou. Therefore, after crossing the Yellow River, he took the position of striker.

Suzhou, south of Xuzhou, is about 100 miles away from each other; Dangshan, in the southwest of Xuzhou, is about a hundred miles away from each other. In fact, the location where the Yan army crossed the river was near Dangshan Mountain. ——Dangshan is close to the Yellow River and is located on the north side of the Yellow River.

Fu Youde attached great importance to the military, and at that time he passed through the door and did not enter, which is not stated for the time being.

It is only said that he took over the vanguard, selected a few capable officers from the old department, and sent them to each battalion. One is responsible for the liaison with the generals, and the other can also temporarily serve as a township guide. Since it is the so-called "old department", most of these people are naturally his township party, relatives and friends, all of whom are from Dangshan, Xuzhou, and Suzhou, and are also very familiar with the surrounding mountains, rivers, terrain and vernacular, and they know it well.

Crossing the Yellow River from the vicinity of Dangshan, there are more than 100 miles away from Xuzhou, the terrain along the way is relatively flat, mostly plains, there are no big mountains, and there are no big rivers.

Thousands of Yan troops all raised their banners, rolled their armor and marched south along the official road.

Speaking of this official road, just like every unified dynasty, there is a Yuan generation, and the construction of roads is still quite important, and the road is in good condition, flat and straight.

If it is placed in peacetime, although it is still early at this time, it must have been a constant flow of pedestrians, after all, Bianliang in the west and Xuzhou in the east are all trade cities. But now because of the war, it is deserted, except for the marching team, there is almost no one near and far, but from time to time some pheasants and hares infested the weeds and bushes on the roadside.

The cool morning breeze was blowing, and the soldiers had just eaten dry food, had eaten a full meal, and had rested for a while; In particular, the battalion head who crossed the river first was given a longer rest time, so although he had already traveled for a day and had just crossed the Yellow River, the spirit of the whole army was still relatively good. Coupled with the successive victories on the battlefield of Jining, the morale of the victorious army was even higher. The road was very fast, and just after noon, I had seen the city wall of Xiao County in the distance.

When you arrive in Xiao County, it is equivalent to half the journey.

The distance between Xiao County and Xuzhou and Shanzhou and Chuqiu is about the same, that is, only fifty or sixty miles.

Although Xiao County is only a county seat, it has been full of heroes in recent years. It took only eighteen people to capture Xuzhou's sesame Li is from Xiao County, and Zhao Junyong, who later transferred to Shandong, is also from Xiao County, and Xue Xian, a fierce general under Zhu Yuanzhang, is also from Xiao County. - This Xue Xian was originally a general used by Zhao Junyong, and after Zhao Junyong's death, Zhu Yuanzhang was demoted to Sizhou and was awarded the command of the pro-army.

In fact, if you count the famous generals at that time, there are really many people who were born in the Huaisi area.

Needless to say, there is no need to say that all the generals who can be called famous are more than seventy or eighty percent of Huaisi people. Zhang Shicheng has a marshal named Wang Hejing, who was originally a general, and later descended to Zhang Shicheng, who is also quite good at fighting, this person was also born in Huaisi, and he is also an Anfeng person. and the generals of Haidong, who came this time, there is a Fu Youde, a native of Dangshan, who can also be regarded as a native of Huaisi.

Approaching Xiao County, Fu Youde passed down an order to suspend the march and take a short rest. After the arrangements were made, he led his own soldiers to the rear army to find Yang Wanhu, Hu Zhong and others. The previous article said that after Xiao County, it is almost to Xuzhou, what should I do next? It has to be discussed.

As soon as he arrived at the Chinese army, he met Yang Si head-on.

"General Fu."

"General Yang."

"You came just in time, my general sent me to invite you."

"Oh? But what's the matter? ”

"Shanzhou sent an envoy who just came to our camp."

"On the single-state side?"

"Exactly."

"Hurry up and lead the way."

The war was imminent, and Zhao Guo and Pan Xianer suddenly sent a special envoy, who must have an important military document. Fu Youde didn't dare to slack off, followed behind Yang Si, and strode to the place where Yang Wanhu and the others were. When I arrived, not only Yang Wanhu was there, but also Hu Zhong and Gao Yanshi's generals.

During the march, there was no camp, and the generals sat on the ground.

Fu Youde's big eyes swept over, and he saw that the generals were sitting in different postures, Yang Wanhu was "sitting on the basket", sitting with his legs open; Hu Zhong sat cross-legged, with his chest held high and his head raised, and his sitting posture was the most meticulous; However, Gao Yanshi leaned on the war horse, with one leg bent and the other leg straight, just the opposite of Hu Zhong, and sat most casually and comfortably.

Moreover, the personal soldiers behind the generals are also different.

Hu Zhong had the most personal soldiers behind him, at least one or twenty, all of them with bright helmets and bright armor, neat costumes, and neat queues, all of them with low eyebrows and pleasing eyes, standing according to their swords.

Yang Wanhu was second, and there were about a dozen pro-soldiers standing behind him, although they were also arranged in formation, but they were much looser in comparison; And the armor is not like Hu Zhong's personal soldiers, many of the brand-new armors are old clothes; The eyebrows and eyes are not as docile as Hu Zhong's own soldiers, and they are full of rebelliousness.

Gao Yanshi brought the fewest personal soldiers, only one, and it was none other than the Kunlun slave he got earlier. In any case, other people's pro-soldiers are always lined up, and his Kunlun slave is good, half kneeling beside him, holding not a weapon, but a silver bowl. What's in the bowl? The red and glamorous ones are Shandong jujubes. But it's for Gao Yonsei's snacks.

Next to the three of them sat another person. Fu Youde looked at it, but he knew him, it was one of Zhao's staff members, surnamed Cheng.

"Mr. Cheng."

"General Fu."

After the two sides saw each other, Fu Youde and Yang Wanhu, Hu Zhong, and Gao Yanshi greeted each other. Yang Wanhu motioned for him to sit down and said, "There is no need to talk more. Our army yesterday finally lived up to the orders of the adults and arrived in Xiao County on time, and dozens of miles further on, it was Xuzhou. The importance of the battle to capture Xuzhou, needless to say, it is expected that you all know it very well. He bowed his hand to the staff surnamed Cheng, and then said, "At this time, Mr. rushed to our army, presumably because the lord had another military order. Now that all the generals have arrived, please pass it on. ”

It turned out that this Mr. Cheng had just arrived, and Yang Wanhu had just invited the generals, and he hadn't had time to ask him about his intentions.

The staff member surnamed Cheng smiled and said: "All the generals are my Haidong generals, since the lord, the south and the north have been invincible. This time, there will definitely be no problem in hitting Xuzhou. In the next time, there is actually no military order from the adults, but there is a sentence that I want to ask you. ”

Yang Wanhu and the others all got up, clenched their fists and bowed their waists, and said, "Please sir." ”

The staff surnamed Cheng didn't dare to accept their courtesy, although he was now representing Zhao Guo, but he also quickly got up, returned the salute slightly, and said solemnly: "My lord's life, may I ask the generals, what are the chances of winning this battle of Xuzhou?" ”

rushed from Shanzhou to Xiao County, ran for one or two hundred miles, and crossed a Yellow River in the middle, and it was easy to see the generals, I thought there was some urgent military order to be handed down, but I didn't expect it to be just to ask such a sentence? The generals were not stupid people, and they quickly understood what Zhao Guo meant. On the surface, he is asking Xuzhou about the chance of winning, but in fact, the implicit meaning is a euphemistic military order: "Xuzhou must win this battle." ”

The generals naturally didn't know that what the surnamed Cheng asked was actually just Zhao Guo relaying Deng She's original words. Shortly after they left the barracks yesterday, Yidu sent another military document to Zhao Guo. This military text was written by Deng She himself, and the content of the text is very simple, and it is the same problem.

Hu Zhong's mind turned a little faster, and he first said loudly: "This battle is not annoying to worry about adults, the last general is afraid that Lu and Song will escape." "Lu, Song", that is, Lu Ju, Song Xingzu. Two defenders of Xuzhou.

The staff surnamed Cheng turned his eyes to look at Yang Wanhu, Gao Yanshi, and Fu Youde, and the three of them also reacted, and said in unison: "There are already adults and Mr. Pan's strategies and clever plans in the past, and if you can't win the city in the future, you don't need to be held accountable for the lord's and adults, first of all, we ourselves feel shameless!" Please reply to your lordship, this battle will be won! ”

"That's very good. General Yang, you have just told the generals that the battle to capture Xuzhou this time does not need to be talked about, and you should know how important it is. That's an excellent statement. However, I beg your pardon for the ramification, but I still have to say the last one. ”

"Sir, please."

"It is of great significance for the generals to bring the elite army this time, to bear the high expectations of the lord and the lord, to cross the Yellow River in the south and take Xuzhou in the east. If this battle is won, it will not only ensure the stability of our Shandong, but also open the passage to the south. If we can successfully occupy Xuzhou, then from now on, our Haidong Tiger Ben will not only shock Hebei, but also become famous in Henan, and go west, north, and south at will! Shandong is the land of four wars, the self-styled people die, and the king of the frontier expanders. The achievements of my Haidong in the future are all on the generals at this time! Remember, this battle must be won. ”

Not far away, the flags are like a forest, and the 5,000 Haidong warriors who are going south are like long dragons, with bright armor and high morale. The sun was scorching overhead, and there were no clouds. In the distance to the east, the city wall of Xiao County is faint. The generals turned their heads and looked far away, as if they had passed through Xiao County and saw Xuzhou City dozens of miles away.

They responded in unison: "Haidong Xiongshi, the battle will be won!" ”

……

In the city of Xuzhou, Lu Ju and Song Xingzu learned the news that the Yan army was heading south.

It's strange to say, after learning the news, especially after knowing that the Yan army had arrived in Xiao County, Lu Ju didn't stop, but Song Xingzu was not surprised. He asked Tanma, "How many Yan soldiers are there?" ”

"The two armies combined, about 5,000 people."

"Only 5,000?"

"In addition, there are also Yan army activities in the area of Weishan Lake."

"How many?"

"Compared with the Yan army in the direction of Xiao County, there are more than 10,000 people."

"More than 10,000 people?"

"Yes. However, according to the villain's observation, the Yan army along the way does not seem to be elite, and many of them are civilian troops. ”

Song Xingzu made a judgment: "I heard that because of the Battle of Shanzhou, Yidu has sent all the elites to Jining Road. This Yan army from Weishan Lake must be a miscellaneous brand. In other words, the main force of the Yan army that came to attack my Xuzhou was only 5,000 people from the direction of Xiao County. ”

He disdainfully, laughed, got up from his seat, crossed his hands on his hips, and continued: "If you want to take off Xuzhou back then, you will use more than 100,000 military horses!" And at that time, Sesame Li, Zhao Junyong and others were new to Xuzhou, and there were no elite soldiers and good generals, and they were all coerced by some ignorant and foolish people who rushed to promote the army and the war. Around this, it took a lot of twists and turns to capture Xuzhou. ......, let alone today! ”

After walking a few steps indoors, he snorted coldly and said, "There are only five thousand people, and you want to capture my Xuzhou City?" Although he is young, he can also be called a hero of Hebei. It's really famous, but it's actually hard to deserve! It's also a disappointment for me. ”

Lu Ju was also on the side, he lowered his head and pondered for a moment, and asked Tanma: "Who can you find out who is the main general of the Yan army?" ”

"The chief general of the Yan army from Weishan Lake, one surnamed Zheng and the other surnamed Huang. The main generals of the Yan army from Xiao County, one Yang Wanhu, one Hu Zhong, in addition to Gao Yanshi, Fu Youde, etc. ”

When Lu Ju heard this, his face suddenly changed slightly, and he couldn't help but get up.

Song Xingzu noticed his color change and said with a smile: "Lord Lu, why are you frightened? ”

Although he asked with a smile, there was a bit of ridicule in his tone. It must be known that he and Lu Ju are not in the same line. Lu Ju served as the privy secretary of Mengyuan, and he was the marshal under Zhang Shicheng.

Therefore, as soon as he saw Lu Ju's color change, he couldn't help but be sarcastic.

Lu Ju didn't care about Song Xingzu's ridicule, and said with a serious face: "Marshal can't be careless!" ”

"What do you mean by that?"

"Yang, Hu, Gao, and Fu are all famous generals in Haidong. The army is up to 5,000 people, so be careful! ”

The main force of the Yan army is only five thousand people, which is something that has been determined.

But for this definite thing, Lu and Song had completely different reactions. One is to attach great importance to it, and even change color, saying that "the army is up to 5,000 people", but there are so many 5,000 people; One of them was extremely contemptuous, laughing contemptuously, saying "only 5,000 people", but there are only 5,000 people.

The meaning is quite interesting.

"The Art of War: 'Fifty miles and fighting for profit, then the general'. From Shanzhou to Xuzhou more than fifty miles, they marched to this point, and crossed the Yellow River on the way, and so on to my Xuzhou city, needless to say, the soldiers must have been exhausted, even if they are elite, even if they are famous generals, how can I strike? ......, adults usually boast that they are familiar with the art of war and know the battle array, but why don't they even know the truth of waiting for work? ”

"That's not what I said."

Song Xingzu interrupted Lu Ju and said, "My lord, please allow me to finish speaking." ”

"......, please speak."

"What I say is only the first. Secondly, it is reported that the battle of Shanzhou has not ended, and although the Yan army has won, the city is still in the hands of Yan Sixiao and others. At this moment, the Yan army did not want to make persistent efforts to conquer the city in one fell swoop, but took the initiative to divide the troops and sent the elite to come all the way to take my Xuzhou. After there is a single state that has not been pulled, and there is a strong city in front of me as a block; Go deep into Huaisi, it is for the guest army; He has crossed the Yellow River in the south, and there is no way back. ......, the Yan army has these disadvantages, but in turn, they are all great benefits to our army. Let me ask you, my lord, the situation has been favorable to our army, what are you still worried about? ”

"Marshal Song,......。"

"No more need, my lord!" Song Xingzu raised his eyebrows and shouted, "If you are cowardly and afraid of the enemy, I will not ask you." After the Yan army arrived, he invited the adults to watch from the wall to see that the general would break the enemy. ”

"Marshal Song!"

"Haha. But Lord Lu, after I break the enemy, you won't have a part in this great achievement. Don't blush at that point. ”

The place where they were talking was in Song Xingzu's camp, and after saying this, Song Xingzu didn't wait for Lu Ju to say more, waved his hand, and said, "My lord, please go back." The fierce battle is imminent, and I can't send it far. He lifted up his robe and walked out first, and his attendants followed.

In the huge tent of the Chinese generals, only Lu Ju was left, standing in the empty tent with a complicated face.